UNHCR CHAD - NIGERIAN SITU ATION

UNHCR CHAD UPDATE 31 March, 2015

UNHCR CHAD - NIGERIAN SITUATION

NIGERIAN REFUGEES IN THE LAKE REGION

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AT THE SITE OF DAR ES SALAM, LAKE CHAD REGION, MARCH 2015. PHOTO: L. NAVIGUE

CONTEXT Several attacks of Boko Haram at Ngouboua and surrounding areas in February and March 2015, prompted the refugee hosted in the site of Kousseri to relocate to a safer area of Bagasola. As of 31 March, one thousand refugees arrived spontaneously or were relocated by the UNHCR, CNARR and local authorities to Dar Es Salam. Since Boko Haram attacks, in January 2015, the military installations and the civilian populations in and around the northeastern Nigerian town of Bagakawa, more than 15,000 Nigerian refugees have sought protection in Chad, many of them in the small islands scattered in the Lake.

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UNHCR Thematic Update –Nigerian Refugees Update

While a number of refugees crossed the Lake and arrived in Chad, others fled to the northern parts of Cameroon and Niger. Repeated attacks in northern Cameroon, forced some of the hosting Cameroonian population and Nigerian refugees to flee into Chadian territory, most specifically into the Mayo Kebbi East area, at 235 km South of Ndjamena where 1,312 persons are presently relocated. The volatile security conditions in and around the islands scattered in Lake Chad (including the village of Ngouboua and Tchoukoutalia) and difficult access to these areas prompted the Government of Chad to allocate the site of Dar Es Salam, located some 12 km from Bagasola, for the accommodation of Nigerian refugees. As of 31 March 2015, Chad is hosting 18,131 Nigerian refugees among whom more than 15,000 arrived in 2015. To date some 4,714 Nigerian refugees are living in Dar Es Salam. In addition to over 110,000 Chadian In addition to 113,000i Chadian Returnees, Chad is hosting, 452,897 iirefugees (including 357,000 Sudanese refugees in Eastern Chad and over 90,000 CAR refugees in Southern Chad) and 1,800 Asylum seekers mostly located in the capital Ndjamena. Many refugees have stayed in Chad for more than a decade and are thus facing a protracted situation.

HIGHLIGH 

On 25-26 March 2015, the High-Commissioner (HC) visited Chad and met with the Chadian President, Minister of Home Affairs, the Financial and Development Partners (CPTF), the United Nation Country Team (UNCT) and finally, with the media. In this fourth visit in Chad, he acknowledged the country as a key partner for its humanitarian responsibility, for complying with international conventions, for hosting and ensuring the protection of several thousand refugees and returnees. He saluted the Government effort in maintaining security in the Central African Region despite limited support from the international community and the scarcity of resources.

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As a follow up to the HC mission, on 27-29 March 2015, the Deputy Regional Coordinator for the Nigerian and CAR Refugee, along with UNHCR Representative carried out a mission in the Lake Region to visit the operation and assess the situation of newly-arrived Nigerian refugees and their living condition at the site of Dar Es Salam. The delegation met in turn, the Governor of Bol, the Sous-Prefet of Bagasola, the partners and the refugees of the site of Dar Es Salam for discussion and information exchange.

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Few points of the HC Meeting with H.E Mr. Iddriss Deby Itno, Chadian President; the HC expressed his solidarity with Chad in its regional role of combat against Boko Haram, his appreciation for hosting refugees for more than a decade despite the security, social and economic challenges facing the country and finally, he reiterated that he will continue to advocate internationally for support to the effort that Chad engaged in ensuring regional security.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – www.unhcr.org

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SECTORIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE POPULATION UNHCR is working closely with its government counterpart Commission Nationale d’Accueil des Réfugiés, Retournés et Rapatriés (CNARR), line Ministries (Ministries in charge of Internal Affairs, Health, Education and Water), UN agencies (WFP, UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA), and other partners (Chadian Red Cross-CRT, IMC, MSF Suisse, APSELPA, ADERBA) to provide protection and multi-sectorial assistance to the refugees and the surrounding populations.

PROTECTION Following the multiple attacks of Boko Haram in the Region, the Government implemented security measures in Bagasola to reinforce the protection of refugees. UNHCR, CNARR and local authorities relocated refugees from the islands, Ngouboua, Tchoukoutalia and surrounding villages to Dar Es Salam on voluntary basis. A watch committee consisting of 20 refugees was set up in the site of Dar Es Salam. UNHCR organized training sessions to sensitize staff and partners on the security threats and hostage taking situation. Refugees profiling: Dar Es Salam - As of 31 March 2015, the total number of refugee in Dar Es Salam is 4,714 persons (2181 families) including 1,837 (39%) female and 2877 (61%) male. Among 766 children age 0 to 5 year, 377 (49%) are female and 389 (51 %) male. We also noted that 2,218 (47%) are minors (0 to 17) while 49% are adults (18-59).

Mayo Kebbi East: After the first joint UNHCR, CNARR and CRT mission noted the presence of 553 Cameroonians, 527 Nigerians and 232 Chadian returnees in five (4) localities of Mayo Kebbi East, located at the South East region of the Capital N’Djamena. The second UNHCR and CNARR joint mission carried out to monitor the situation and collect further reliable data, identified several protection problems among the populations relocated in the area namely;  Lack of documentation, which may expose population to protection risks during systematic control of identity by law enforcement authorities.  Vulnerability of women head of households, widows with children and disabled persons.  School-aged children not enrolled in school due to lack of financial means. In light of these findings, the mission recommended the continuation of monitoring of movement in the area, to provide documentation to Nigerian refugees (Refugee identification card and food ration cards) and timely food assistance to persons with specific needs. Child protection: Child Friendly Space established by UNICEF in Dar Es Salam currently has 768 children (442 boys, and 326 girls). UNHCR identified 134 vulnerable children including 92 separated children and 42 -unaccompanied minors (UAM). 9 children were reunited with their families in March and the remaining children were placed in foster families on the site. UNICEF also provided clothing to the refugee children of the site of Dar Es Salam. Returnees and IDPs: CNARR, UNHCR and IOM have established a presence in Bagasola in order to assist local authorities in identifying returnees and IDPs. After verification, the three agencies recorded a total 2,670 (729 families) IDPs and 875 (175 families) Chadian returnees who have temporarily relocated from Ngouboua and other villages in the area. This population lives with family members at Bagasola. Following this joint profiling exercise, UNHCR, CNARR and IOM have taken the step forward to identify IDPs and returnees in 6 other areas of the lake namely: Tchoukoutalia, Tetewa, Ngouboua, Kagalom, Tchoua, Kenesserom, Forkolom and Liwa for humanitarian assistance. The results of the profiling will be shared later.


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FOOD WFP postponed the introduction of cash voucher system in the Lake Region following a market analysis carried out in the area which showed that the borders closure and soaring market prices, were elements that will hinder the introduction of the system. They are proceeding with monthly food distribution at Ngouboua the site of Dar Es Salam. From 11 till 14 March, WFP and CRT distributed a food ration to 4,058 registered Nigerian refugees in the site of Dar Es Salam an equivalent to a daily ration 2100 kcal/p/d. The refugees missing during distribution will be provided with food once they return to the site. WFP also provides high energy protein biscuits. WFP provided monthly food ration to 874 Chadian returnees present at Dar Es Salam.

HEALTH Access to primary healthcare in the Lake Region is provided through curative intervention with activities by IMC and MSF Suisse in coordination with the Medecin Chef de District (MCD). The new partner MSF- Suisse provided household of Forkolom with 678 core relief items (CRIs) kits. At Dar Es Salam, from the 17th to 28th March 2015 MSF - Suisse organized training on mental health and GBV to 42 health care agents. Preventive healthcare as a well as health education are activities that still required strengthening. Bagasola: 2 cases of HIV initially tested positive were referred to the district hospital of Bagasola for confirmation of diagnosis. On 20 March 2015, the governor launched a campaign against poliomyelitis, and 768 children aged from 0 to 59 months were immunized at site of Dar Es Salam. Children below 5 years old were immunized against polio, meningitis and others necessary vaccines. Several were supplemented with Vitamin A. The most frequent pathologies were the acute respiratory infection, malaria, diarrhea, and malnutrition. Ngouboua: Malaria is the highest most diagnosed diseased followed by the malnutrition and finally the acute respiratory infection. Nutritional health: Acute malnutrition diagnosis is higher in Ngouboua than in the site Dar Es Salam. Since January 2015, of the 730 children consulted on the site of Dar Es Salam, 145 were diagnosed with severe malnutrition and 68 with acute malnutrition. At Ngouboua, several cases were referred to the secondary healthcare center of Bagasola. Investigation is ongoing to determine and address the root causes of malnutrition in Ngouboua.

WASH, SHELTER & CRI Throughout the month, HCR, APSELPA, UNICEF and ADERBA and CRT organized an ongoing campaign on prevention and awareness on hygiene focusing on personal and living space and environmental cleanliness, hand washing and latrines hygiene. Over 4,000 persons were targeted by the information shared. Shelter: At Dar Es Salam, the construction of shelter, water points, latrines and showers is made by UNHCR and partners CRT, APSELPA, UNICEF and ADERBA. To date, a total of 769 family shelters have been constructed with plastic sheeting. Additional shelters are under construction on the site. Several shelters damaged by the wind and sand storms of March are under repairs. Water: 14 water points are operational in the site and the standard amount of water provided per person per day stands at 54 liters, surpassing UNHCR standard of 20 (l/p/d). Sanitation: Of a total of 230 latrines 198 are operational and 116 showers are completed and in use in Dar Es Salam, for an average of 23 persons per latrine and 37 per shower. (The standard ratio is 20 persons per latrine and 50 persons


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per shower). Sanitation is starting to be a problem for the latrines are filling rapidly. As such, there is a need to either empty the existing one or dug new one. 50 garbage bins are placed around the site and 7 bore holes for garbage are functional in the site. CRIs: The Chadian government and UNHCR received 450 tons of Food and Core Relief Items (CRIs) donated by the Nigerian government to assist Nigerian refugees living throughout the Chadian territories. The items were made of rice, beans, tomato, salt, noodles, millet, sugar, vegetable oil, men and women clothes, detergents, mosquito’s nets, bath soap, nylon blankets, mat, brocade, tin, buckets and tents. They will be distributed

EDUCATION A need assessment exercise concluded that more than 70% of Nigerian refugees’ children lack formal education, UNHCR, UNICEF, the Ministry of Education and partners joined their efforts to remedy the situation. 16 Temporary classrooms were built in Dar Es Salam I & II and equipped, teacher aptitude evaluated and reinforced to deliver quality education to school-aged children (refugees and hosting communities in Dar Es Salam area), and an information sharing system set up by CRT and IPEP school in Dar Es Salam. The 02 March 2015 was the first day of the school labeled by the Sous-Prefet of Bagasola “Ecole Espoir”. Some 848 refugees and Chadian students (537 boys and 311 girls) of first level and 63 students level 2 and 3 received schools kits and attended school that were equipped by HCR, UNICEF and partners. A total of 20 teachers and 2 headmasters (one for each school) are in charge of the education. Each school is endowed with (01) water point, six (06) latrines (03 for girls and 02 for boys and 01 for staff) and 03 hands cleaning hygiene kits. On March 23, WASH organized a hygiene and awareness campaign and set up hand washing kits before the school latrines. Faced with the high demand of adult literacy, in collaboration with the sector headed of literacy of Bagasola, a decision was taken during the second education sectorial meeting by UNICEF (with the participation of UNHCR, CNARR and CRT), to carry out a census to evaluate the needs and the number of adults willing to be enrolled in the adult literacy program.

LIVELIHOOD AND ENVIRONMENT The environment committee established by CRT organized a campaign to prevent abusive wood and tree cutting, and the protection of the tree around the site. It is also working on activities of reforestation and environmental protection the committee proceeded to distribute firewood and a total of 197 refugees (113 men and 84 women) took part to the awareness activities. 10 bags of corn seeds and 20 kg of onion seeds were made available to the refugees willing to engage in agriculture. CNARR is working with UNHCR to negotiate arable land with the local authorities in the area for the benefit of Nigerian refugees in Dar Es Salam.

SECURITY The situation is calm but volatile. Security measures implemented following the attack on Ngouboua and surrounding villages were lifted in several localities of Bagasola, Liwa and Daboua but remain in effect in Ngouboua and Tchoukoutalia; curfew to restrict movement after 10:00 pm, traffic and fuel sales on the Lake Chad are still prohibited. The governor reinforced measures to ensure the safety of refuel company and immunization agents. The Dar Es Salam site is protected by 5 policemen provided by the Sous-Prefet of Bagasola. They are in need of logistics.

COORDINATION UNHCR works in close collaboration with the government of Chad (CNARR), local authorities (health and education line ministries in particular) as well as partners. Coordination meetings take place once a week, on Thursday in Ndjamena


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and in Bagasola. These meetings, organized by UNHCR are attended by representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, donors, UN agencies, (WFP, UNICEF, OCHA, PNUD, UNFPA, WHO, IOM, UNDSS), national and international NGOs and other interested organizations.

FUNDING UNHCR is grateful to many partners for their support and funding. An Inter-Agency Appeal for the Nigeria situation will be launched in April 2015. Meanwhile, UNHCR submitted a joint project of 100,000 USD with IOM under current CERF allocation to address the protection needs of refugees and Chadian returnees as a result of Nigeria crisis in the Lake region.

MAJOR CHALLENGES    

High refugee relocation costs; the cost of a speedboat carrying 40 people is 1,000 USD and 400 USD / truck Logistical challenges, remoteness of the many islands and limited accessibility to these areas Closeness of the Nigerian border and the heavy military presence in the area Lack of infrastructure and health personnel in the islands.

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IOM- Daily Statistics Summary, 27 March 2015

ii

UNHCR Year End 2014 statistics

Contacts Danielle Dieguen, Executive Assistant, [email protected] Victorien Ndakass, External Relation Associate, [email protected]

Tel: (235) 68 00 05 91 Tel: (235) 66 20 17 93


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